Mechanical temperature controller

ABSTRACT

A mechanical temperature controller includes a temperature setting device having a mounting bracket and an regulating lever which rotatably passes through the mounting bracket; a temperature indicating dial positioned at one side of the mounting bracket, the regulating lever extends through the center of the temperature indicating dial and rotates synchronously, and a magnet is defined in the temperature indicating dial; a mask housing the outside of the temperature indicating dial and connecting to the mounting bracket; and a knob being detachably mounted on the mask and rotatable relative to the mask. A magnetic element being disposed at the knob corresponding to the magnet, the magnetic element and the magnet have an opposite magnetic poles at their opposing surfaces. The temperature indicating dial and the regulating lever rotate synchronously with the rotation of the knob, and a temperature indicating area being disposed at the knob.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority to and the benefit of the Hong Kong short term patent application No. 15102956.1, filed on Mar. 23, 2015, and entitled “MECHANICAL TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of temperature controller, particularly, relates to a mechanical temperature controller.

BACKGROUND

With emphasis on environmental protection, countries implement all kinds of administrative means to save natural energy in order to protect environment. Air conditioner is most widely used and large amount of energy is consumed. In order to reduce the energy consumed by the air conditioner during the heating or cooling, many governments, institutions, and enterprises all consider that the temperature of the air conditioner should be set at 25° C. However, users can adjust and set the temperature of the air conditioner according to their own habits by using a conventional mechanical temperature controller, which often causes the set temperature too high or too low, the energy consumption of the air conditioner during the heating or cooling process is thus increased, and the waste of energy is inevitable.

Therefore, it is necessary to design a mechanical temperature controller, which may prevent users themselves from adjusting the set temperature arbitrarily, to reduce the energy consumption.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a mechanical temperature controller which may prevent users from adjusting and setting the temperature at random, thereby reducing energy consumption and avoiding energy waste.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, a mechanical temperature controller includes a temperature setting device having a mounting bracket and an regulating lever which passes through the mounting bracket and is rotatable relative to the mounting bracket; a temperature setting device comprising a mounting bracket and an regulating lever which passes through the mounting bracket and is rotatable relative to the mounting bracket; a temperature indicating dial positioned at one side of the mounting bracket, the regulating lever extends through the center of the temperature indicating dial and rotates synchronously with the temperature indicating dial, and a magnet is defined in the temperature indicating dial; a mask housing the outside of the temperature indicating dial and connecting to the mounting bracket; and a knob being detachably mounted on the mask and rotatable relative to the mask. A magnetic element being disposed at a bottom surface of the knob at the position corresponding to the magnet, the magnetic element and the magnet have an opposite magnetic poles at their opposing surfaces. The temperature indicating dial and the regulating lever rotate synchronously with the rotation of the knob, and a temperature indicating area being disposed at a top surface of the knob for indicating a set temperature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures are only intended to make a schematic description and interpretation of the present invention, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the mechanical temperature controller according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the three-dimensional structure of the temperature indicating dial of the mechanical temperature controller shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the three-dimensional structure of the temperature indicating dial shown in FIG. 2 from another viewing angle;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the top view structure of the temperature indicating dial shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the section structure of the temperature indicating dial shown in FIG. 4 taken along line A-A;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the section structure of the temperature indicating dial shown in FIG. 4 taken along line B-B;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the three-dimensional structure of the mask of the mechanical temperature controller shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the top view structure of the mask shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the section structure of the mask shown in FIG. 8 taken along line C-C;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the three-dimensional structure of the temperature indicating dial of the mechanical temperature controller according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the three-dimensional structure of the temperature indicating dial shown in FIG. 10 from another viewing angle;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the top view structure of the temperature indicating dial shown in FIG. 10 of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the section structure of the temperature indicating dial shown in FIG. 12 taken along line D-D;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the section structure of the temperature indicating dial shown in FIG. 12 taken along line E-E;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the three-dimensional structure of the mask of the mechanical temperature controller according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the front view structure of the mask shown in FIG. 15; and

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing the section structure of the mask shown in FIG. 16 taken along line F-F.

Wherein the reference number in the above figures are as follows:

1—temperature indicating dial,

11—through hole,

111—restraining recess,

12—weight reduction recess,

13—pointer,

14—accommodating recess,

2—mask,

21—protruding rib,

3—fastening slot,

4—fastener, and

5—mounting bracket.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In order to understand the technical solution, purpose and effect more clearly, embodiments will be illustrated hereinafter with reference to the figures.

The present invention provides a mechanical temperature controller, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, the mechanical temperature controller includes a temperature setting device, a temperature indicating dial 1, a mask 2, and a knob (not shown in figures). The temperature setting device includes a mounting bracket 5 and an regulating lever. The mounting bracket 5 is provided with an assembling hole for the regulating lever to pass through, and the regulating lever passes through the mounting bracket 5 via the assembling hole and is capable of rotating around its own axis. The temperature indicating dial 1 is positioned at one side of the mounting bracket 5 and is capable of rotating around its own axis. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, or FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the temperature indicating dial 1 is provided with a through hole 11 for the regulating lever to pass through, and the regulating lever passes through the temperature indicating dial via the through hole 11 and is capable of rotating synchronously with the temperature indicating dial 1. The temperature indicating dial 1 is provided with a magnet. The mask 2 houses outside of the temperature indicating dial 1 and connects to the mounting bracket 5. Alternatively, the mask 2 is detachably assembled to the mounting bracket 5. The knob is detachably assembled on the mask 2 and rotatable relative to the mask 2. The bottom surface of the knob is provided with a magnetic element at the position corresponding to the magnet, and a pole of the magnetic element is opposite to that of the opposing surface of the magnet. Thus, the mutual attraction between the magnetic element and the magnet makes the regulating lever and the temperature indicating dial 1 are capable of rotating synchronously with the rotation of the knob. Moreover, in order to adjust temperature accurately for users, the top surface of the knob is disposed with a temperature indicating area for indicating the set temperature. Thus, the user may obtain the real-time set temperature by directly watching the position of the temperature indicating area.

As an embodiment of the present invention, in order to avoid that the mutual attraction between the magnetic element and the magnet is disturbed by the temperature indicating dial 1, the mask 2 and the knob, which affects the knob driving the regulating lever and the temperature indicating dial 1 to rotate synchronously, the temperature indicating dial 1, all of the mask 2 and the knob are designed to be made from non-magnetic materials such as plastic, wood, etc. Since non-magnetic materials do not disturb the mutual attraction between the magnetic element and the magnet, in this way, attraction may only be generated between the magnetic element and the magnet, thereby making the regulating lever and the temperature indicating dial 1 be able to rotate synchronously only with the rotation of the knob.

Furthermore, in order to enable all users to clearly know the set temperature, the mask 2 is designed as a semi-transparent or transparent plastic mask, and on one side of the temperature indicating dial 1 far away from the mounting bracket 5, a pointer 13 for indicating temperature is provided at the position corresponding to the temperature indicating area. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the pointer 13 is a long-striped protrusion formed on one side of the temperature indicating dial 1 far away from the mounting bracket 5, and the real-time set temperature may be known simply by watching the position of the pointer 13. In addition, in order to make the magnetic element and the magnet accurately positioned with each other when installing the knob, it is designed to make the extension line of the central line of the long-striped protrusion passes the center of the magnet and the center of the temperature indicating dial 1, and the extension line of the central line of the temperature indicating area also passes the center of the magnetic element and the center of the knob. In this way, during the installation of the knob, when the central line of the temperature indicating area aligned with the pointer, the magnetic element and the magnet is accordingly accurately positioned.

Alternatively, in order to make the pointer 13 more clear, a coated layer with striking color is coated on the surface of the long-striped protrusion, such as red paint layer, etc. so as to highlight the position of the pointer 13.

Another way is, as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 12, the pointer 13 may be replaced by calibration coated on the top surface of the temperature indicating dial 1.

Alternatively, a restraining protrusion is disposed on the outer surface of the regulating lever, as shown in either FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, or FIG. 11, FIG. 13, and FIG. 14, the through hole 11 on the temperature indicating dial 1 is provided with a restraining recess 111 at the place corresponding to the restraining protrusion. When the restraining recess 111 and the restraining protrusion are coupled and engaged with each other, the temperature indicating dial 1 is not capable to rotate relative to the regulating lever, thus ensuring the regulating lever and the temperature indicating dial 1 rotate synchronously.

Obviously, in order to ensure that the regulating lever and the temperature indicating dial rotate synchronously, an annular protruding rib may be sleeved on the outer surface of the regulating lever, and the cross-section of the annular protruding rib presents non-circular shape, which is not capable to rotate relative to the regulating lever; The shape of the through hole is designed the same as that of the cross-section of the protruding rib, by coupling and engaging of the annular protruding rib and the regulating lever, the temperature indicating dial is not capable to rotate relative to the regulating lever, which ensures that the regulating lever and the temperature indicating dial rotate synchronously.

It should be noted that there are other solutions to prevent the temperature indicating dial from rotating relative to the regulating levers so as to ensure the synchronous rotation of the regulating lever and the temperature indicating dial, which is not illustrated again for concise purpose. However, any conventional structures which prevent the temperature indicating dial from rotating relative to the regulating lever, or simple replacement, are contained in the protecting scope of the present disclosure.

Alternatively, the magnet is a first magnet embedded in the temperature indicating dial 1, and the magnetic element is a second magnet embedded in the bottom surface of the knob. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6, or FIG. 10, FIG. 12, and FIG. 13, on the surface of the temperature indicating dial 1 far away from the mounting bracket 5, an accommodating recess 14 is provided for accommodating the first magnet. That is, the accommodating recess 14 and the pointer 13 are positioned at the same side, the first magnet is embedded in the accommodating recess 14, and the N pole of the first magnet is visible. On the bottom surface of the knob, an assembling slot for installing the second magnet is provided at the place corresponding to the first magnet. The second magnet is embedded in the assembling slot, and the S pole of the second magnet is visible. When the knob is mounted on the mask 2, the N pole and the S pole are attracted to each other, that is, attraction is generated between the first magnet and the second magnet, thus making the temperature indicating dial 1 and the regulating lever to rotate synchronously with the rotation of the knob.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, or FIG. 11, FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, in order to reduce the weight of the temperature indicating dial 1, and ensure that the attraction generated between the magnet and magnetic element is far larger than the gravity of the temperature indicating dial 1, allow users to turn the knob to adjust set temperature easily, a weight reduction recess 12 is defined on the temperature indicating dial 1. In this way, the weight of the temperature indicating dial 1 is reduced, which makes its structure simplified and easy to process and mold, and easy to operate as well, and materials used to manufacture the temperature indicating dial 1 are greatly reduced, thus the manufacturing cost is low.

It is should be noted that the weight reduction recess 12 is defined on one side of the temperature indicating dial 1 near the mounting bracket 5, that is positioned on the invisible surface of the temperature indicating dial 1, so as to enhance the aesthetic of the mechanical temperature controller.

As a specific example of this embodiment, the mounting bracket 5 is provided with a fastener 4, and the mask 2 is equipped with a fastening slot 3 matching the fastener 4. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the mask 2 is a hollow shell with its bottom open, and at the open end it is provided with an outward flanging on which the fastening slot 3 is provided, and the mask 2 is connected with the mounting bracket 5 by the cooperation between the fastener 4 and the fastening slot 3.

As another specific example of this embodiment, the mask 2 is provided with a fastener 4, and the mounting bracket 5 is provided with a fastening slot 3 matching the fastener 4. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, the mask 2 is a hollow shell with its bottom open, and at the open end it is provided with an outward flanging on which the fastener 4 is provided, and the mask 2 is connected with the mounting bracket 5 by the cooperation between the fastener 4 and the fastening slot 3.

Alternatively, on the bottom surface of the knob, there is provided with a mounting groove which has adaptable shape with the mask 2, and the magnetic element is positioned in the mounting groove. The knob is rotatably mounted on the mask 2 by the cooperation of the mounting groove and the edge of the mask 2.

Taking the mechanical temperature controller used in air conditioner as an example, hereinafter, the present mechanical temperature controller is illustrated for its assembly process and application.

As shown in FIG. 1, the assembly process of the mechanical temperature controller provided in the present disclosure is: first, assembling the temperature indicating dial 1 into the regulating lever via the through hole 11, during assembling, the side provided with the weight reduction recess 12 is faced to the mounting bracket 5, and the restraining protrusion on the regulating lever is made to be coupled and engaged with the restraining recess 111 on the temperature indicating dial 1 so as to make the regulating lever synchronously rotate with the temperature indicating dial 1; Secondly, turning the temperature indicating dial 1 till the pointer 13 aligns with 25° C. of the temperature indicating area on the knob, the regulating lever rotates with the temperature indicating dial 1 synchronously and sets the temperature. That is, the temperature set by the temperature setting device is 25° C.; Thirdly, disposing the magnet (the first magnet) in the accommodating recess 14; At last, covering the mask 2 at the external of the temperature indicating dial 1, and making the fastener 4 (or the fastening slot 3) on the mask 2 coupled and engaged with the fastening slot 3 (or the fastener 4) on the mounting bracket 5, so as to prevent the mask 2 from rotating relative to the mounting bracket 5. When it is needed to adjust temperature, first, installing the magnetic element (the second magnet) in the knob, then coupling and engaging the fastening slot of the knob and the edge of the mask 2 with each other, thus making the knob mounted on the mask rotatably; During assembling, making the center line of the temperature indicating area of the knob corresponds to the center line of the pointer 13 of the temperature indicating dial 1, accordingly, the magnetic element (the second magnet) on the knob and the magnet (the first magnet) on the temperature indicating dial 1 attract each other and produce a force, making the temperature indicating dial 1 and the regulating lever rotate with the rotation of the knob synchronously. Because the temperature indicating area on the knob corresponds to the pointer 13 on the temperature indicating dial 1, the set temperature may be changed by rotating the knob. For example, the temperature indicating area of the knob aligns with the place of 30° C. by rotating the knob, and the temperature indicating dial 1 and the regulating lever rotate synchronously so that the pointer 13 of the temperature indicating dial 1 locates at the place of 30° C. too, that is, the temperature set by the temperature setting device is 30° C. After finishing the temperature adjustment, the knob may be removed from the mask 2. In order to prevent users from adjusting the temperature without any limitation, which will result in an energy waste, the knob should be controlled by a designated staff, so that most users can not adjust the set temperature freely, and the set temperature is basically fixed at 25° C. constantly, thus, the purpose of energy conservation and environment protection is achieved.

It is should be noted that, if it is needed to change the present mechanical temperature controller to a conventional one, it is only needed to detach the mask, the temperature indicating dial, and then sleeve an adjusting button of the mechanical temperature controller used in the conventional technology onto the regulating lever. The operation of installation and replacement is simple and convenient.

The present mechanical temperature controller can prevent most users from adjusting and setting the temperature freely because of the existence of the temperature indicating dial and the mask, thus reducing the energy consumption and preventing the energy waste in the greatest extent. When it needs to adjust the temperature, the knob may be mounted on the mask by a specified staff, and the temperature may be adjusted by rotating the knob to drive the temperature indicating dial and the regulating lever to rotate synchronously. Furthermore, it is such a simple and convenient operation to adjust the temperature via the knob that users are capable of adjusting the temperature according to the actual needs of environment without operations by an electrician. In addition, the present mechanical temperature controller may be manufactured via refitting the conventional mechanical temperature controller without changing its original equipment and electrical part, which may not affect its original temperature sensing function, thereby reducing the production cost of the mechanical temperature controller. Furthermore, the operation of installing and disassembling the temperature indicating dial, the mask and the knob is simple and convenient, so that users can refit the present mechanical temperature controller to the conventional mechanical temperature controller timely and quickly according to their actual needs.

The above illustration is only concrete embodiments of the present invention, which do not intend to limit the scope of the present disclosure. All the equivalent changes and modifications under the premise of the present disclosure without departure from the concept and principle of the present disclosure made by a skilled person in the art shall be in the scope of the protection of the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A mechanical temperature controller comprising: a temperature setting device comprising a mounting bracket and an regulating lever which passes through the mounting bracket and is rotatable relative to the mounting bracket; a temperature indicating dial positioned at one side of the mounting bracket, the regulating lever extends through the center of the temperature indicating dial and rotates synchronously with the temperature indicating dial, and a magnet is defined in the temperature indicating dial; a mask housing the outside of the temperature indicating dial and connecting to the mounting bracket; and a knob being detachably mounted on the mask and rotatable relative to the mask, a magnetic element being disposed at a bottom surface of the knob at the position corresponding to the magnet, the magnetic element and the magnet have an opposite magnetic poles at their opposing surfaces, the temperature indicating dial and the regulating lever rotate synchronously with the rotation of the knob, and a temperature indicating area being disposed at a top surface of the knob for indicating a set temperature.
 2. The mechanical temperature controller according to claim 1, wherein a through hole is defined in the temperature indicating dial for the regulating lever to pass through, a restraining protrusion is defined at an outer surface of the regulating lever, a restraining recess is defined at the through hole at the position corresponding to the restraining protrusion, and the restraining recess and the restraining protrusion are coupled and engaged with each other.
 3. The mechanical temperature controller according to claim 1, wherein a weight reduction recess is defined on the temperature indicating dial.
 4. The mechanical temperature controller according to claim 1, wherein the mask is detachably connected to the mounting bracket.
 5. The mechanical temperature controller according to claim 1, wherein a fastener is disposed on one of the mask and the mounting bracket, a fastening slot matching with the fastener is disposed on the other one of the mounting bracket and the mask, the mask is connected to the mounting bracket via the cooperation of the fastener and the fastening slot.
 6. The mechanical temperature controller according to any of claim 1, wherein a mounting groove which has adaptable shape to the mask is defined at the bottom surface of the knob, the knob is rotatably mounted on the mask via the coupling and engaging of the fastening slot and the edge of the mask.
 7. The mechanical temperature controller according to any of claim 2, wherein a mounting groove which has adaptable shape to the mask is defined at the bottom surface of the knob, the knob is rotatably mounted on the mask via the coupling and engaging of the fastening slot and the edge of the mask.
 8. The mechanical temperature controller according to any of claim 3, wherein a mounting groove which has adaptable shape to the mask is defined at the bottom surface of the knob, the knob is rotatably mounted on the mask via the coupling and engaging of the fastening slot and the edge of the mask.
 9. The mechanical temperature controller according to any of claim 4, wherein a mounting groove which has adaptable shape to the mask is defined at the bottom surface of the knob, the knob is rotatably mounted on the mask via the coupling and engaging of the fastening slot and the edge of the mask.
 10. The mechanical temperature controller according to any of claim 5, wherein a mounting groove which has adaptable shape to the mask is defined at the bottom surface of the knob, the knob is rotatably mounted on the mask via the coupling and engaging of the fastening slot and the edge of the mask.
 11. The mechanical temperature controller according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic element is disposed in the mounting groove.
 12. The mechanical temperature controller according to any of claim 1, wherein the mask is a semi-transparent or transparent plastic mask, and a pointer used to indicate temperature is disposed at the temperature indicating dial at the position corresponding to the temperature indicating area.
 13. The mechanical temperature controller according to any of claim 2, wherein the mask is a semi-transparent or transparent plastic mask, and a pointer used to indicate temperature is disposed at the temperature indicating dial at the position corresponding to the temperature indicating area.
 14. The mechanical temperature controller according to any of claim 4, wherein the mask is a semi-transparent or transparent plastic mask, and a pointer used to indicate temperature is disposed at the temperature indicating dial at the position corresponding to the temperature indicating area.
 15. The mechanical temperature controller according to any of claim 5, wherein the mask is a semi-transparent or transparent plastic mask, and a pointer used to indicate temperature is disposed at the temperature indicating dial at the position corresponding to the temperature indicating area.
 16. The mechanical temperature controller according to any of claim 6, wherein the mask is a semi-transparent or transparent plastic mask, and a pointer used to indicate temperature is disposed at the temperature indicating dial at the position corresponding to the temperature indicating area.
 17. The mechanical temperature controller according to claim 12, wherein an extension line of a central line of the pointer passes through a center of the magnet and a center of the temperature indicating dial, and the extension line of the central line of the temperature indicating area passes through the center of the magnetic element and the center of the knob.
 18. The mechanical temperature controller according to any of claim 1, wherein all of the temperature indicating dial, the mask, and the knob are made from non-magnetic materials.
 19. The mechanical temperature controller according to any of claim 2, wherein all of the temperature indicating dial, the mask, and the knob are made from non-magnetic materials.
 20. The mechanical temperature controller according to any of claim 4, wherein all of the temperature indicating dial, the mask, and the knob are made from non-magnetic materials. 